Is it just me, or is every other person walking down the street with a juice in hand? It used to be a cup of coffee, but by the looks of things, greens are taking over. I’m loving every bit of it! Any self-respecting restaurant has a green juice offering on their brunch menu now, and I'm thrilled to see this development.

While some people may feel that this is just another in a long line of diet trends, I feel confident that green drinks are here to stay! Here’s why:

1. Our diets are depleted.

Even those of us who think we’re eating well — eating our vegetables and watching our sugar and gluten — can use a little nutrient supplementation. Most fruit and vegetables are grown in a soil that's depleted, so they don’t contain as many nutrients as they once did. It’s worth adding a concentrated and easily absorbed juice or smoothie to your day as a multivitamin supplement.

2. Green means vitality.

The green color in these vegetables comes from chlorophyll, which I like to think of as sunshine solidified (or liquefied)! Plants harness the sun’s energy in photosynthesis, and we can cash in on all that powerful energy and vitality when we ingest these plants. Especially because I often spend a little too much time inside, drinking green juice makes me feel more alive.

3. Our lives are busy.

Stress and pollution are inevitable side effects of modern life, causing inflammation and zapping our energy. We now need more antioxidants and alkalizing greens than ever! With this busy lifestyle, it's so tempting to reach for quick, short-term fixes such as alcohol, sugar and caffeine — all of which further deplete our bodies. Adding a green juice or smoothie to your day will provide you with both that instant pick-me-up and a lasting energized and uplifted effect.

4. Green juices are the true breakfast of champions.

A smoothie makes for the perfect breakfast; it's infinitely customizable with what’s in season and on hand, fun to make (even for the kids) and easy to grab and go. If you’re someone who isn’t particularly found of breakfast, a juice or smoothie first thing is an easy go-to. It requires less cooking and chewing, yet provides you with plenty of nutrients to start your day off on the right foot.

5. Disease prevention is the best insurance.

There's no better health insurance than preventing disease in the first place. While scientists are busy at work finding cures for a whole range of lifestyle-related ailments, do your part by providing your body with plenty of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens, berries, avocado and coconut oil.

6. We're always on a quest for optimal health.

Humans are living longer and are in constant search of ways to improve our well-being. As Westerners become fed up with big corporations' gimmicks to market their processed foodlike substances and addictive ingredients, the quest is on for a more natural way of life. We’re a generation in search of optimal health, not ready to settle for anything less. I believe the green drinks boom has happened as a result of this immense motivation to be the best we can be.

7. Less animal food means more greens.

As the truth about the industrialized, processed and factory-farmed meats and dairy products begins to come out, many of us are making a choice to eat less of these foods. Instead, we’re reaching for other nutrient-dense sources of calcium, protein and fat. Greens are one of the best plant sources of calcium, magnesium and iron, and even contain a nice dose of protein. And, with all the fun ways to boost your smoothies (think chia seeds, avocado, hemp powder, pea proteins and nut milks) there are lots of easy ways to up your game.